The Olde Stage Fire Complex
At about 1:00 pm on Wednesday, January 7, 2009, 60 + mile per hour winds snapped a power pole, dropping its energized power line onto a wire fence at 45th and Neva road. The sparks from the line on the fence ignited a fire in the grasses, shrubbery and subsequently, the home. This was the first in a series of events, which would be known as the Olde Stage Fire Complex. Due to the extreme wind event, the home at 45th St. was quickly consumed by the fire. Flying embers started a series of running grass fires to the east of the structure. As these fires were being fought, large plumes of smoke became visible to the west of Hwy 36. A second fire had started on Olde Stage Road and was rapidly spreading through the Crestview community, Joder Ranch and east towards the community of Lake Valley. The Boulder County Sherifs Office set up a command to manage the fire west of Hwy 36.
Chief Mygatt established Lake Valley Command and the command staff and crews quickly set up structure protection for the threatened community. During this time, BRFD also had crews to the west, supporting the firefighting efforts on Hwy 36 and Olde Stage. The wind driven Olde Stage fire spread rapidly to the east and south eventually threatening Dakota Ridge. The two fire commands were merged into one as a complex. The conditions described by the firefighters protecting the Lake Valley front were extreme. Firefighters were fighting wildland fires in SCBAs (self contained breathing apparatus) because of the wind, heat, smoke and fire intensity as it advanced on the community. Communication was critical as visibility was nearly zero at times.
When we look back on these events, we find ourselves blessed in many ways. The multi-agency effort and coordination involved in this incident were efficient and effective. We are grateful for our neighboring agencies and the cooperative efforts of the community that came together in this unprecedented effort to protect the people, property and animals threatened by this event. We spend over 90 percent of our time training and preparing for such incidents. We feel both honored and privileged to be able to put that training to work for the communities and people we serve.
